Crime & Safety

Schools, Group Homes and Businesses Hit in Fire Department Connections Thefts

Enumclaw/King County Fire District No. 28 officials have concluded their area check following reports last Friday that several fire department connections were stolen from local buildings.

Enumclaw/King County Fire District No. 28 officials said Monday that 10 fire department connections have been stolen from area buildings after an unknown number of thefts were first reported last Friday (read the story).

Fire Capt. Randy Fehr said that fire officials have conducted an area check across the Plateau area and found the thefts occurred at three industrial buildings, four schools (Enumclaw High School, Sunrise Elementary, Thunder Mountain Middle School and Westwood Elementary), and three adult family homes (Living Court, Expressions and Cascade House).

Fehr said the thefts were initially discovered when the department was alerted by the Valley Regional Fire Authority that stolen fire department connections (FDCs) from Enumclaw were recovered at a metal recycling facility in Pacific.

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According to a department press release, the connections are located next to or on the outside of a building. They allow crews to boost the pressure in fire sprinkler systems or provide water to fire hoses inside the buildings. 

They're typically located in a remote portion of a property and often are not readily visible. This makes it easy for thieves to steal the brass without being seen. 

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Thieves typically get $15 to $25 for each brass connection but it costs about $225 to replace a single fire department connection. "This does not include labor, or the required obstruction inspection which could send the cost of repairs in excess of $1,300 per business," Fehr said.

It's the individual building owners or their insurance companies who would ultimately be responsible for replacing the stolen FDCs, he said.

The thefts put the public and businesses at risk if there is a fire. Lacking the connections, firefighters can't supplement the sprinkler system or get water to crews who may be working inside multi-story buildings, the release said.

The Fire Department offers the following tips to protect businesses from these types of thefts:

  • Report suspicious activity by calling 9-1-1. No one except the fire department or a sprinkler installation company should ever be removing or working with an FDC. Theft of FDCs typically takes place late at night.
  • Businesses should check their FDCs regularly to ensure they are in place. Again, theft should be reported immediately.
  • Salvage yards should never accept any brass painted red, that states, “Fire Department Connection,” or that has threaded hose couplings.
  • Anyone who sees where an FDC might normally be located but is not, should report the fact to the business. If the business is closed, call 9-1-1 to report the possible theft.
  • Businesses can protect their property by purchasing a locking plug for their FDC. Information on approved plugs is available by calling the Enumclaw Fire Department Fire Marshal’s office at 360-615-5756.

All those who live at the affected buildings were notified of the thefts and asked to file a police report, Fehr said. Similarly, police throughout the region have notified salvage yards and asked them not to accept fire department connections.

Police continue their investigation as to who is responsible for the thefts, Fehr said.


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